Hochul Doesn't Want You Listening in on Cops, Blocks Police Audio Transparency Bill

Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation advocates said was designed to preserve public and media access to police radio communications. Critics say the move undermines transparency and shields law enforcement activity from scrutiny.

The bill, approved earlier this year by both the New York State Assembly and Senate, was crafted in response to a growing trend among police departments to fully encrypt their radio traffic. Legislators backing the measure said it was intended to protect the ability of journalists and first responders to receive timely information about public safety threats, monitor police activity as it unfolds, and hold officers accountable.

Hochul rejected the measure late Friday night, issuing a veto message that questioned whether the bill’s safeguards for withholding “sensitive information” could realistically be implemented. She argued that separating routine police communications from sensitive material might not be technologically practical and warned of serious consequences if such information were made public.

The governor said disclosure of certain details “could lead to loss of life or operational failure,” framing the veto as a public safety decision rather than a transparency issue.

“While transparency is laudable, it should not come at the expense of public safety,” Hochul wrote in her veto message, adding that she did not believe a statewide mandate was necessary.

She emphasized that local governments should retain control over how their police departments manage communications. “Municipalities remain free to make their own decisions as to whether to prohibit their police forces from encrypting radio transmissions,” Hochul wrote.

Supporters of the legislation disagreed, arguing that expanded encryption makes it more difficult for journalists to alert the public to emergencies, assess police responses in real time, or investigate potential misconduct. Without access to radio transmissions, the public loses a critical window to know when crimes and/or other emergency operations are taking place, how law enforcement operates, or to hold them accountable when improper conduct takes place.

Hochul also cited concerns about officer safety and the protection of elected officials, suggesting the bill could unintentionally expose undercover operations or sensitive movements.

“In a time when public officials face growing threats of extreme violence, the bill also requires a police agency to effectively make real-time disclosure of the official’s movements to bloggers and paparazzi in addition to more traditional journalists,” said Hochul.

The veto was one of nearly 50 issued by Hochul and released just before midnight Friday, a timing that drew additional criticism from advocates who say the administration routinely blocks transparency measures while offering little public debate.

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Hochul Doesn't Want You Listening in on Cops, Blocks Police Audio Transparency Bill